§ 1. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to state what steps His Majesty's Minister in China has taken to safeguard the interests of the British Mining Company which owns the Jamieson Collieries in the Honan Province; and whether he has protested to the Chinese Government against the proposed transfer of the British company's rights to the Chinese Chung Yuan Company?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)His Majesty's Minister in China reports that he is in touch with the local 1162 manager of the Company concerned, who has not asked him to make a protest, and has informed Sir Miles Lampson that the agitation to take over the collieries proceeds from an unimportant association, and that the provincial Governor has promised the Company protection.
§ Mr. SAMUELMay I ask whether the Minister has a commercial attaché who can take off his shoulders the work of looking after the grievances of business men?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, the Minister is very well equipped in that respect, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, he takes a great personal interest in these matters.